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Brooks a game-day decision

By RICK STROUD and Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 20, 2001

Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks was tight-lipped about his condition this week.

TAMPA -- Another game, another decision about whether linebacker Derrick Brooks should play.

Brooks, who did not practice this week to rest his sprained left foot, returned to workouts Friday and is expected to be ready for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Coach Tony Dungy said the coaching staff will watch him closely in warmups and his availability will be determined just before the game.

Brooks, who apparently was stung by negative reaction to his decision to play despite being hurt Sunday at Tennessee, declined comment on his condition this week.

The Bucs' leading tackler in four of the past five seasons, Brooks finished with a season-low three stops -- his second-lowest total in a game since 1998. Earlier this season, Brooks set a club record with 23 tackles at Minnesota.

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said Monday that Brooks should not have played.

"We should have access to almost everyone," Dungy said of his injured players. "Some of them will probably be game-day decisions."

The only player ruled out of Sunday's game is linebacker Jeff Gooch, who has a separated shoulder. Dungy said safety Dexter Jackson (thigh bruise) could not have played Friday.

Running back Warrick Dunn (sprained foot) returned to practice and should start at running back.

Dunn was held out of practice most of the week in hopes of not aggravating his sprained foot. Dunn scored two touchdowns in his return to the lineup Sunday.

Brooks was not as fortunate. Having never missed a game in his career, the three-time team MVP had trouble cutting on his injured left foot. As a result of Brooks' injury and poor tackling, the Titans converted eight of their 16 third downs.

Brooks will be needed against the Steelers. Pittsburgh boasts the NFL's top rushing offense, averaging 192 yards.

Dungy said the Bucs will watch their injured players closely in warmups.

"We'll keep an eye on them when they run on Sunday and monitor them for pain, that sort of thing," he said.

GETTING STARTED: The team will debut a pregame presentation against the Steelers.

The new display will include a parade of 100 Buccaneer flags and one large Buccaneer flag for player introductions, and a large American flag to be unfurled before the playing of the national anthem.

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